November 2005 Business

1) Writing Project: 
It was agreed that the Writing Project would no longer contain lengthy abstracts of the sharing portion of the meeting.  It will only contain a list of topics discussed.  The reasons for this are: Though many people, both those who come to meetings and those who don’t, get a lot out of reading the lengthy abstracts, they cause some people to feel unsafe sharing.  In the interest of maintaining safety and boundaries, only a brief list topics discussed will be posted in the Writing Project.  The Writing Project is still open to anyone who wants to send in a written “share,” both people who come to meetings and people who don’t.  

2) New Member Pamphlet:
We are in the process of putting together a pamphlet for new members.  It will include:

  •     What New Landscape is
  •     Definition of almost-better 
  •     What New Landscape does to maintain safety.  
  •     What to expect at meetings.  
  •     What members get out of meetings.  
  •     FAQ’s.  
  •     Writing Project.  

One of the members will put together a draft, which we will look at the next meeting.  

3) Meeting format:
Currently, sharing is from 10:00 – 11:30, and a “business-meeting” is from 11:30 – 12:00.  At some point in the future, we might cut down the business meeting to 15 minutes or eliminate it altogether, to allow more time for sharing.  But for now, as the group is still evolving and defining itself, we will  keep the 11:30 – 12:00 time frame.  (People said they liked participating in the shaping of the group.)  

4) Miscellaneous:
The guidelines state that there is no cross-talk or feedback, and no commenting on what someone else has shared.  The group agreed that these guidelines foster a feeling of safety and we should keep them.  However, in the interest of acknowledging someone who has just shared, so that person doesn’t feel invisible, it is appropriate to say something like “Thank you.”  

5) One-Year Anniversary:
It was noted that New Landscape started in November of 2004.  This was our one-year anniversary.

July 31, 2008 · Filed under Business 2005

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